Nevada Supreme Court: Strip Club Dancers Are Employees

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Adult entertainers who danced at Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club in Las Vegas were employees and not independent contractors, according to the Nevada Supreme Court, which ruled that 6,500 dancers could be eligible for millions of dollars in back wages.

Yesterday's unanimous decision, 7-0, sends the case back to a lower court to determine how much the dancers are owed.

Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club, billed as the “World’s Largest Strip Club,” maintained it merely provided a venue for the dancers and that "exotic dancing is customarily performed by independent contractors and therefore is not an integral part of Sapphire's business."

But the high court said that Sapphire management dictated dancers’ appearance and interaction with customers, as well as work schedules. The performers also paid fees to the club's management and the disc jockey.

"Sapphire is actually able to 'heavily monitor [the performers], including dictating their appearance, interactions with customers, work schedules and minute to minute movements when working,' while ostensibly ceding control to them," the justices said in the ruling.

"This reality undermines Sapphire's characterization of the 'choices' it offers performers and the freedom it suggests that these choices allow them; the performers are, for all practical purposes, 'not on a pedestal, but in a cage.'"

With the ruling, the high court reversed the lower court's pre-trial summary judgment in favor of Sapphire Gentlemen's Club and remanded the class-action suit for further proceedings consistent with the opinion.

View Nevada Supreme Court opinion

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

We-Vibe Debuts 'Melt 2' Vibrator, Air Pulse Massager

We-Vibe has introduced its new Melt 2 vibrator/air pulse massager.

Pure Taboo Debuts 'The Party's Over'

Hazel Moore stars with Liz Jordan and Hailey Rose in the latest featurette from Pure Taboo, titled “The Party’s Over.”

Athena Heart Stars in Latest From TeamSkeet

Athena Heart stars with Jason Sarcinelli, Axel Haze, and Nick Strokes in the latest release from TeamSkeet.

Violet Myers, Valentina Nappi Star in Latest From Brazzers

2025 XMAs Premium Social Creator of the Year Violet Myers stars with Valentina Nappi and Ricky Johnson in the latest release from Brazzers, titled “V and V Share a Big D.”

Full Circle Expands 'Savage Me' Line of Male Torsos

Full Circle has expanded its line of Savage Me male torsos.

2025 AltStar Awards Nominees Announced

Nominations have been announced for the 2025 AltStar Awards, aka the AltPorn Awards, presented by Bad Dragon.

Nalpac, Entrenue Sign Distro Deal With Like A Kitten

Nalpac/Entrenue has inked a deal to distribute Like A Kitten pleasure products.

XBIZ Retreat Reloads Amsterdam Edition, Set for Sept. 2-5

XBIZ Retreat is making its highly anticipated return to Amsterdam, set for Sept. 2–5 at the chic Park Centraal Hotel.

Angela White Stars in New Interactive Scene From Brazzers

Multi-XMAs winner Angela White stars with reigning and two-time XMAs Europas Male Performer of the Year Christian Clay in a new interactive release from Brazzers, titled “Taking Angela Back To Your Place.”

Marvin Love Directs 'Rich and Horny Weirdos' for Brazzers

Brazzers has released a new scene directed by Marvin Love, titled “Rich and Horny Weirdos.”

Show More